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More Firearms Officers for Northumbria Police

Northumbria Police say they're increasing the number of firearms officers by 50%.

The force say the increase is to 'provide reassurance across the force area.' It's after an £140 million pound investment in firearms capability by the government, to ensure UK police forces can respond quickly to terror attacks.

Chief Inspector Simon Hall, head of the Firearms Support Unit (FSU), said:

"There is no specific intelligence to say that this region is going to be a target for any sort of terrorist activity, but we have the capability to respond quickly if we ever needed to. We are one of nine forces across the UK who have been provided with government funding to increase the number of our firearms officers and a 50 per cent increase is a significant uplift."